TEESSIDE race walker Johanna Jackson warmed up for the World Athletics Championships in perfect style at Birmingham as she stepped up her bid to banish her ghosts of two years ago.

Jackson strolled to victory in the 5,000m race walk at the Aviva National Championships in Birmingham and is all but certain to be selected to go to Daegu in South Korea for the 20k World Championships event.

It was at the same event in 2009 in Berlin when she was disqualified for illegal foot movements, although she has since bounced back to win Commonwealth Games gold last year.

And the 26-year-old from New Marske believes mastering the Indian heat will stand her in good stead for the humidity in store out in South Korea.

“It’s going to be really hot and humid out in Daegu, but the past few majors have all been like that so I’m used to it now,” said Jackson.

“I think as long as you prepare well, which we will with the backing of UK Athletics, they give us the best advice.

“I’m sure everything will be fine - it’s just a case of going out there and trying to beat as many as I can.

“I was disqualified last time out in Berlin so I’m determined to make amends and make sure that doesn’t happen again.

“It was great to win gold in Delhi. It was a strange feeling for me to go into a major international competition as the gold medal favourite but to know that I dealt with that pressure and still managed to win was fantastic.

“It’s given me a lot of confidence that I can go to a major championship and get a medal and hopefully there will be plenty more in my career.”

Jackson is already firmly established as the UK No 1 - her victory in Birmingham was her sixth national title in a row - but she admits her thoughts are already turning to South Korea.

“It feels really good to win for a sixth time,” she added.

“You can’t take anything for granted when you come into these competitions, so it feels good to perform well and win again.

“I didn’t get the kind of time that I wanted to but it always seems to be hot and humid whenever I compete here.

“Daegu is the big one and what I’ve been focusing on ever since I got the qualification time.”

Middlesbrough long jumper Chris Tomlinson was a last-minute withdrawal after picking up a knock in training, but thanks to his British record of 8.35m achieved in July’s Diamond League meeting he should be assured of a place on the plane.

Sportsbeat Press Agency, extensive coverage of the London 2012 Olympic Games and beyond – for more information visit www.sportsbeat.co.uk .